In today’s difficult economic times, hotels have pulled out all stops to entice visitors. Recently we’ve posted unimaginable hotel deals throughout Hawaii, and am certain that many more will soon follow.
But what about vacation rentals?
I suggest that it’s a good time to drive a hard bargain here too. The rules are much the same as at hotels. Being a buyer’s market, most vacation rentals will likely be happier to have you on your terms rather than face unending vacancies. No reasonable offer refused is the unfortunate sign of these times.
I suggest directly negotiating better terms in each of the following areas:
1. Price.
Make an offer for the number of days you plan to stay. If you have more than one place in mind, try making simultaneous offers and see what happens.
2. Fees.
Most vacation rentals charge a cleaning fee. You can certainly ask that it be waived, or that the fee reduced, especially on longer stays.
3. Deposits/refunds.
If the terms aren’t favorable, don’t hesitate to ask for ones that you can live with. For me, the deposit and refund terms of vacation rentals has always been a sticking point. Sometimes I can’t predict if I’ll need to cancel and that has kept me from getting into unworkable situations of losing significant deposits.
4. Other terms.
For example, let’s say the vacation rental normally has a minimum time period and your intended stay is for fewer days. Let them know and see what they can do.
In conclusions, a single vacation property obviously cannot afford to offer all of the same terms as a hotel with hundreds of rooms. So be considerate, and also give as much advance notice as possible if you need to change plans. That way you can get the best deal and the vacation rental can stay in business.
Please let me know how your negotiations go.
Vicki (3 years ago)
Hi Jeff. I’m so glad you decided to write on vacation rentals. They aren’t such a bad idea. We’ve e-mailed about this in the past.
I just got back from Honolulu yesterday. Cold and windy this time. I think global warming is making Minnesota warmer and Hawaii cooler. I hope not!!
I stayed at a new (for me) vacation rental this time and liked some things – the location was convenient – but not others. It was not clean enough for me, but this is a common problem for me and I often feel that way about hotels also. The outside space was not “pretty” as I think it can be in Hawaii almost without effort. There was patio space but no plants or vegetation and the area was narrow with a high wall. It wasn’t possible to perceive this in the pictures offered. Also the entrance was not private and I prefer that if possible. There was a central entry that was also accessed by another unit and most weirdly, their bathroom was also off this central area (outside of the unit). I would have really hated that and thank goodness I didn’t rent that unit.
It had good parking for my rental car and that’s important to me because I really enjoy getting out and around the island and drive somewhere each day. I’m allergic to pineapple and found that out the hard way. Still getting over the rash and itching.
Thanks for the suggestions of free parking near Waikiki. I parked almost every time I wanted to go there for free and it worked great. I also went to the Jimmy Buffet concert at the Waikiki shell and parked free. I thought of you. He’s OK but the crowd watching was very entertaining.
Crowds are way down and I notice there are still a couple of unfinished hotels, so I can imagine that prices will continue to go down. I wish I could afford to buy something now when prices are good.
Anyway, I enjoy your newsletter and had another very nice 10 days in Hawaii. Thanks.
Husker Mike (3 years ago)
We negotiated with a condo complex on West Maui for a stay in late January. We didn’t have a lot of luck, but we did trip $15 a night off the price. We really liked the complex (and it was exactly what we wanted), so we took it. Saving $100 for a week wasn’t anything to sneeze at, though I was hoping to save much more.
When we called, we were a month out from our arrival, so I’m sure that the management knew that the chances of getting a full-price rental was getting slimmer and slimmer.
PuaHawaii (3 years ago)
With lots of Hawaii vacation rental owners waiting for guests from the Mainland, especially for the slow season months April – June, your rental negotiation recommendation with the hosts definitely comes at the right time, Jeff.
I think, Mike, your $100 discount for a week’s stay is a nice, reasonable special, which you’d normally have no chance of getting in January during the past years. It was still amazing to me that our Kohala Coast hosts were booked well during the winter months.
Sorry to hear Vicky that your vacation rental was not that well taken care of and tropical plants were missing. Luckily, these are exceptions!!! No return guests for these hosts. It’s that easy.
Enjoy your vacation rental in Hawaii, in clean rooms and surrounded by tripical flowers.
Aloha, Pua
http://kohalacoastweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/hawaii-spring-break-specials-2009.html
Soozzie (3 years ago)
My husband and I bought a home in Maui after visiting our timeshare for 20 years. We now rent our 1BR/2BA Maui Sunset timeshare May 16-30 each year, with the notion that eventually our old age will require that we return to the mainland and we will want to keep our toehold here. But for now, we are trying to rent it at half the agency price, $1500, which is our cost. For most folks this is a much better deal than a hotel, especially if you have kids or want to save extra money by handling some or all of your own meals. I hesitate to abuse this most helpful and informative site with flagrant promotion, so anyone interested can locate more info on Maui craigslist with a simple search. Mahalo.
Ilima (3 years ago)
HI Jeff —
Your readers should be aware that many rentals on Maui are still not permitted and hence not legal. The county recently passed legislation that should increase the number of permitted B&Bs, but still has not passed legislation that would legalize vacation rentals outside of resort districts. Under the legislation, B&Bs have the owner living on the same property, while vacation rentals don’t have the owner on-site.
Your readers may have an ethical problem with staying at an illegal vacation rental, but if they don’t they should still be aware that these rentals are at risk of being shut down by the county at any time — rather inconvenient if that happens in the middle of your stay.
There are a handful of vacation rentals that have obtained the permits necessary to operate outside of resort-zoned areas — I think there is a list posted on the County of Maui web site somewhere. But at the very least, a traveller might want to ask the operators of the vacation rental whether they are permitted.
Thanks. Love the blog.
Alan (3 years ago)
As an individual vacation rental owner I agree that owners are looking to fill their condos and are willing to negotiate in ways they wouldn’t need to do so even a year ago. However it is important to keep in mind that there is a minimum cost for wear and tear and just to keep the lights on and pay for cleaning.
My suggestions for getting the best rates:
1. Book at the last minute. I had someone contact me a week before and she got the rock bottom rate I could afford.
2. Book very far in advance for low season. Do you want the second week in October ? No problem, I’ll give you a deal.
3. Be upfront with your offer to the owner and make it a reasonable one. Don’t offer $50/night for a 5 bedroom house on the beach and see what they come back with.
4. If you generally book garden views, consider upgrading to ocean views and offering the garden view price.
Jeff (3 years ago)
Hi Alan,
I concur with your thoughts. Good to have the input of a vacation rental owner.
Aloha, Jeff